How about immerse yourself in all things wholesome with a literary festival that the whole family will love and that celebrates the natural world?

The Wealden Festival is the perfect opportunity to pause and explore the living world around us; a moment’s respite from the bustle and bustle of life. Curated with all ages in mind.

It’s a family-friendly weekend of nature, creativity and outdoor adventures in the enchanting setting of Boldshaves Garden in Woodchurch, near Tenterden, Sat 24 – Sun 25 June 2023.

AUTHOR LINE-UP

The line-up features Former Poet Laureate Andrew Motion, celebrated author Michael Morpurgo (festival patron), Will Gompertz, Madeleine Bunting of award-winning Love of Country, celebrated artist and activist Katie Holten.

Also two of our most brilliant thinkers, award-winning historian, Tom Holland and Dr Adam Rutherford who has written and presented award-winning series and programmes for the BBC. Plus popular non-fiction writers, Keggie Carew and Charles Foster.

FOR THE KIDS

Alongside the author talks and storytelling sessions that are typical of a literary event, children have a chance to climb trees, take part in an outdoor cooking class, learn traditional bushcraft skills and whizz through ancient woodland on a zipwire.

Other highlights include the traditional Adventure Playground, Tinkertown, a free pop-up event giving children and families the time, space and freedom to design, build and play as they like with real tools, pallets and scrap timber.

Young readers will hear from authors and illustrators: Petr Horcaek creator of bestselling picture books (The Perfect Present & A Best Friend for Bear), Molly Arbuthnott (Oscar the Ferry Cat), Pari Thomson (Greenwild: The World Behind the Door), acclaimed children’s author Lucy Strange whose book is based on the local landscape of the Romney Marsh (Sisters of the Lost Marsh), Rye resident Polly Horner (Colour Bird) and Rebecca Smith (Our Beach).

WORKSHOPS

Alongside literary events, try your hand at tree climbing, wild cooking, wine tasting, calligraphy, weaving workshops, yoga plus drop-in writing workshops and much more!

With a mix of creative classes, rural skills and traditional crafts, you can learn something new at the festival and perhaps find a new hobby. There are fourteen workshops taking place across the weekend; from Pigment Making to Small-Scale Regenerative Farming, Wild Weaving to Herbal Medicine, there is so much to learn and do!

Have you ever had to get rid of clothes because you’re unsure how to mend them and use them for longer? Drop in to a FREE workshop with Lu Flux, a clothing designer based in Kent who works with salvaged fabrics that would otherwise go to waste. Bring your favourite pieces that you want to love a little longer and give them a new lease of life!

FOOD

After all the activities and events are through, on Saturday night there’ll be a Summer Feast inspired by the colours and flavours of India, brought to you by Faversham-based Wasted Kitchen. Well known for making the most of the produce and flavours that are around them, reducing footprint and getting ingredients that would have been wasted back into the food cycle.

GLAMPING & CAMPING

Make a weekend of it – there’s the option to camp in the beautiful fields surrounding the stunning Boldshaves Garden. Pre-erected Bell Tents are available to hire for the full weekend, each 5m bell tent is furnished (with bedding an optional extra) and sleeps up to 4 people.

Or spread out in the vast spaces, there’s no cramped camping at Wealden! So set up your own camp for just £15 per night on the Friday and/or Saturday.

Tickets start at £6 for a workshop or £50 for an All Day Pass and access to all talks and tents. Boldshaves Garden, Woodchurch, Ashford, Kent TN26 3RA, Tel: 01233 860302, wealdenliteraryfestival.co.uk